By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel

Mackenzie Phillips, famous in family name and “One Day At a Time”, launched her new book on the Oprah Show on Wednesday and appears again today. Her revelation was heavy and her book sales will redeem her debts, but hopefully not motivate a relapse with drugs.

Mackenzies’ relationship with father John of Momas and Popas fame is there for all to behold and she has every right to reveal and explain. As awkward as the subject is to some, this story will touch many. But I worry about her.

Can she handle this burst of fame? I hope she hires a good agent soon. She’ll need some people close to keep her grounded. Her path to redemption is far from over and she probably realized that upon leaving Oprah’s studio with her friend Valerie Bertinelli.

What now? Repeat performances over the coming days, but Wednesday seemed very authentic and arresting really. Oprah, usually in control, looked shaken.

You can criticize her decision to go public, but the narrative exists in book form. There will be family discussions about this for many reasons, if only innocent questions when children see the story. Take it from there, though. To some an innocent question, to many a reality.

She wants to forgive herself and she needed to write this book to do it. What is the nature of forgiveness? After forgiveness, what then?